Highway sign and marker bracket



2 Sheets-Sheet l WILLIAM W. M. LITTLEFIELD HIGHWAY SIGN AND MARKER BRACKET Filed Jan. 29, 1936 `lune 22, 1937.

om vm June 22, 1937. w. M. LITTLEFIELD 2,084,816

HIGHWAY SIGN AND MARKER BRACKET Filed Jan. 29, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.6.

3637 'l0 59 l 60 f 71959 6 68 i 6 [58 Tm WILLIAM M. LITTLE!!! EL D, y r

Patented June 22, 1.937

UNTED STAES PATENT OFFICE William M. Littlefield, Sidney, Ohio, assignor to The Sidney Elevator Company, Sidney, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application January 29, 1936, Serial No. 61,265

9 Claims.

This invention relates to sign supports, and in particular, to brackets for supporting highway signs and markers.

One object of this invention is to provide a highway sign bracket consisting of a plurality of standardized parts which may be assembled in a plurality of ways to devisea framework adapted to differing sets of conditions.

Another object is to provide a highway sign bracket or framework composed primarily of a plurality of strips of metal of the same length, assembled and united to one another and to a post attachment clip in such a manner as to provide a framework which can be enlarged or reduced to suit it to changing conditions, such as a change of route or terminology, or an addition o'f a new road or a detour.

Another object is to provide such a bracket or framework which may be instantly dismantled and the parts used for a framework or bracket of different shape.

Another object is to pro-Vide a highway sign and marker bracket or framework of this type, wherein the parts may be assembled at the point where 5 the sign is to be installed, and without any previous planning or preparation, the standardized parts being of such a character that the sign framework may be constructed on the spot.

Another object is to provide an attachment clip by means of which signs may be quickly attachable and detachable from the framework without the necessity of dismantling the framework, and enabling the latter to be painted and the signs reinstalled without the necessity of waiting for the paint to dry.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the highway sign and marker bracket of this invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the bracket or framework shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevation looking in the direction 4 4 of Figure 3, and showing certain details of the post attachment clamp.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail cross section through the post attachment clamp and an assembly of frame strips and marker holders, taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a cross section along the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a brace holder used in connection with the sign bracket of this invention.

Figure 8 is a perspective View of a marker holder.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a destination sign holder.

Figure l0 is a plan View of a post attachment clamp employed in attaching the framework to a post.

In general, the highway sign and marker bracket of this invention consists of a framework formed of pieces of metal of standardized length, which are attached to clips encircling the sign post. The signs or markers are secured to this framework by means of clip-like holders whereby they may be quickly attached or detached. Where the frame strip of standardized length is used for a brace the necessarily greater length required is obtained by the use of a supplemental strip, which serves to fill out the length thereof.

Hitherto, highway sign brackets and frameworks have been constructed individually for each particular location. The foreman in charge of locating the sign visited the prospective location and determined the nature of the framework necessary. These directions he gave to the blacksmith, w-ho would construct a framework accordingly. The foreman then returned to the prospective location of the sign and had the framework installed. If the framework did not t the post or was not adapted to the particular conditions, it had to be removed to the shop and altered in a suitable way until it completely fitted the requirements. Whenever a framework was damaged or whenever the route was added to or altered, it was necessary to construct a new framework to meet the altered conditions. It was to overcome defects of this nature that the sign and marker bracket of this invention was devised so that no previous planning is necessary, the bracket being constructed at the point where it is to be used.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 and 2 show the highway sign and marker of my invention as attached to a post l, either of solid or hollow construction. Encircling the post I, at separated points, are the post attachment clamps 2, 3 and 4. These attachment clamps are of substantially the same construction, hence, a single description suffices for all.

The post attachment clamp generally designated 3 consists essentially (Figures 3 and 10) of a band of metal 5, which encircles the post and has a loop 6 at one end, this loop passing through a slot 'l in an angled member 8 having a bolt hole 9 therethrough. AfterI passing through the slot 1 the remainder of the loop doubles back on the inner side of the metal band 5, as at I0. Facing the angled member 8 is a similarly angled member II, having a similar bolt hole I2 therethrough and a similar slot I3 for the passage of the loop I5 on the opposite end of the metal band 5. At an intermediate point between these ends the band 5 is bent in an outwardly projecting portion i5, having a U-shaped slot I6 in one edge thereof. Beyond this point the band 5 continues through the slot I3 and back along its inner surface in a portion Il. Cooperating with the porti-on I5 is a short additional band of metal' I8., which also projects in a manner similar to the portion I5 (Figures 5 and l0), and which similarly is provided with a slotl I9 aligned with the slot I 5. The metal band 5, the rear portion I'I thereof and the short metal loop or band I8 are united to one another by the rivets 2l).

The metal band 5 is provided with a sliding clip or brace holder 2l (Figures '7 and 10). This consists of a U-shaped band of metal having slots 22 near the top of the U,'and a slot 23 extending inwardly from the edge in the bottom portionv of the U. The metal band 5 which encircles the post passes through the slots 22 and holds the ends of the brace holder 2l firmly in contact with the sides of the post. The slot 23 serves to receive a bolt 24 (Figure l0) the nut 25 of which rests in the inner portion of the U-shaped brace holder or clip 2l. This portion is of approximately the same width as the nut 25, hence, prevents the nut from turning when the bolt 24 is tightened or otherwise adjusted. The bolt 24 serves to hold together the abutting ends of the vertical braces 25 and 2l, andA .securely clamps these in engagement with the brace holder 2l and hence anchors them against the post I.

The vertical brace 26 extends upwardly, and at its mid-portion is'provided with a bolt 28 by which it is secured to the post attachment clamp d, in a manner similar to that described in connection with the bolt 25 and the post attachment clamp 3. Continuing upwardly the top of the brace 27 is provided with a bolt 29, holding the horizontal brace 35 in contact with the vertical brace 2l (Figures 2 and 3). The horizontal brace 35 is U-shaped and consists of one of the standard strips hereinafter referred to, this strip being bent in the form of a truncated V. These frame strips, from which the various braces such as 2S, Z'I and 35 are made, are of insulicient length for their use as diagonal or bent braces. The length thereof is accordingly supplemented b-y the supplemental strips 3|, attached at each end of the braces 35 by the bolts 32. The supplemental strips are provided with narrowly spaced bolt holes 55, whereby the supplemental strips 3l may be exactly adjusted in length to t the particular conditions. Y

The framework to which the various signs or markers are attached is formed chiey of straight frame strips, of which the vertical braces 26 and 2l are typical. These frame strips are composed of iron bars having holes 33 at intervals along the length thereof. By means of these holes the bolts may be inserted at any desired point and other braces attached thereto. In the form shown in Figures l and 2 the vertical braces 26 and 21 eX- tend upwardly along the back of the post I. The framework for holding the signs and markers consists of the horizontal brace members 34, 35, 36 and 3l, which, with the vertical outer braces 38, 39, 40 and 4I form a rectangular structure. The diagonal braces 42 and 43 serve to interconnect the vertical and horizontal braces (Figure 2) and strengthen the framework formed thereby.

This framework is further strengthened by th rearwardly extending braces 54 and 55. rlhese are secured at their outer ends to the vertical braces 4I and 55, respectively, as by the bolts 55. At their inner ends these rearwardly extending braces M and 55 are attached by the bolts 4l to the supplemental brace 53. rIhe latter is attached to the vertical brace 25 by means of the bolt 49. To the upper horizontal braces or frame members 35 and 3l are attached the vertical braces 55 and 5i, as by the bolts 52. The top portions of the vertical braces 59 and 5I are connected to the upper horizontal brace 53 by the bolts 55 (Figure 2). Y The outer ends of the supplemental strips 3| are attached to the vertical braces 5I) and 5I, respectively, by the bolts 55. In this manner the vertical subframe formed by the Vertical braces 5D and 5I and the upper horizontal brace 53 is strengthened by its attachment to the rear vertical brace 21. The horizontal braces 35 and 35, as well as the horizontal braces 36 and 3l are attached to one another in the manner shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6. The inner ends of the horizontal braces 36 and 3l are overlapped with the upper end of the front vertical brace 51 (Figures 1 and 5) and through all of these passes the bolt 58 having the nutk 59 resting within the forwardly extending portion i5 of the post attachment clamp 3. The bolt 58 is inserted by passing it downward through the slots I5 and I 9, and the nut 59 is prevented from turning by its engagement with the side walls of the projecting portion I5.

The bolt 58 also passes through the slot 50 in the marker holder or clip, generally designated 6l. The latter is shown in perspective in Figure 8 and consists of a base portion 52 having bent ends 63. Secured to the base portion 62 is a forwardly projecting U-shaped portion 55, having a slot 65 in the forward end 55 thereof. The rearward wings 6l of this portion are secured to the base portion 62 by any appropriate means, such as by spot welding, brazing, soldering or riveting. Through the slot 55 passes the bolt 58, having a nut 59 serving to hold the marker l5 (Figure 5) in engagement with the clip 5I. The bent ends 53 engage the sides of the vertical brace 5l in such a manner as to prevent the twisting of the marker holder or clip SI. At the same time the forwardly extending portion 54 serves to space the marker 'l5 apart from the intersecting braces 36, 3l and 5l. One object of this construction is that by loosening the bolt 58 the marker 'IU may be instantly removed and replaced with another marker; or else the various braces may be painted and the marker 'I5 replaced without waiting for the braces to dry. 'Ihe marker 10, as shown in Figure l, is of the outline common to such markers, namely, that of the State or the shield of the United States, and carries the number denoting the route.

'I'he route markers 1I, 'l2 and I3 are similar to the route marker lll and are similarly attached by the clips or marker holders 6I to the braces or framework. The turn` marker 14,however, is of smaller size and carries the letter R or L, denoting whether the turn is to the right or to the left. The junction marker 'I5 is: likewise attached to the framework by means of the clips 6I, and carries the word Junction, denoting the route which joins the main route at this point.

The top .framework formed by the vertical braces 5|] and 5I and the horizontal brace 53 carries the destination marker 16 vand 11. These destination markers are usually in the form-of arrows, and carry the name of the town, together with the distance atV which the'town is located froml the location of the sign. `These destination'markers 16 and 11 are made of wood covered with a metal face, which bears the name of the town. As .the Aback of the destination marker 16 or 11 is of wood, these markers.- are attached to their braces 50 or 5| by means of the destination marker clips ..18, consisting of a flat base plate 19 to which is secured the lateral wings 8B and 8l of a forwardly projecting portion 82 having the front portion 83. The latter is provided with a slot 85. having the inclined portions 85 at the entrance thereof. The wing portions are secured to the base plate 19 in any suitable manner, such as by spot welding, riveting or soldering, and are provided with screw holes for the reception of the wood screws by which the destination markers are attached to their holders or clips 1.8.

In assembling the destination markers these are merely placed over the nuts 83 of their bolts 81 (Figure 3) and slid downwardly on top of one another until they come to rest in close proximity to one another. The bolts 81 are then tightened and the destination markers 1S and 11 thereby securely clamped in position. If it is desired to increase the carrying capacity of the framework thus formed, additional braces can be immediately attached to the existing framework by removing the particular bolts adjacent the point at which it is desirable to attach the additional framework. The latter can be made up of the same unit frame strips and braces in a similar manner.

In the event that the sign is used at an intersection, where it is desired to employ a single sign for designating both directions, the horizontal braces 35 and 31 may be bent at right angles to one another at an intermediate point so that they extend in a direction perpendicular to the main portion of the framework. Under these circumstances the markers attached to the outer ends of the bent portions will indicate a direction at right angles to the main framework, and appropriate markers may be secured thereto in the manner already described. Other angles may be obtained by bending the horizontal braces 31 and 35 in an appropriate manner.

In case a sign becomes damaged, as by collision, or parts thereof are stolen, a new marker can instantly be attached by the use of the marker holders 6I without any special workmanship required. The framework may also be repaired by removing the old braces and inserting new ones. In this way no time is lost by the repeated trips necessary between the location of the sign and the shop, where such frames were hitherto made.

In contrast, by the provision of six standard units, together with the bolts therefor, any framework of any desired outline can be constructed. These siX standard units are the frame strips or braces, such as 26; the short supplemental strips, such as 3l the post attachment clamps, such as 3; the brace holder or clip, such as 2l; the marker holder, such as 6|; and the destination marker holder, such as 18. In case routes are changed or additional roads are caused to join the main road at the location of the sign, other units can be added or the outline of the framework varied instantly, without requiringmany assistance from the home shop, or any returnV trips thereto. A

I desire to comprehend within my invention suchmodications as may be embraced within my claims and the scope of my invention.

Havingthus fully described my invention, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A highway sign vbracket comprising a plurality of members secured end to end to form a substantially rectilinear frame, said members being of substantially the same length and interchangeable with one another, a clamp secured to said framework and having a portion arranged to encircle a post, braces secured at one end to said framework, and supplemental members interconnecting said braces with said clamp.

2. A highway sign bracket comprising a plurality of members secured end to end to form a substantially rectilinear frame, said members being of substantially the same length and interchangeable with one another, a clamp secured to said framework and having a portion arranged to encircle a post, braces secured at one end to said framework, and supplemental members interconnecting said braces with said clamp, said supplemental members having a plurality of spaced holes therein.

3. A highway sign bracket comprising a plurality of members secured end to end to form a substantially rectilinear frame, said members being of substantially the same length and interchangeable with one another, each of said frame members having a plurality of holes spaced at intervals therealong, a clamp secured to said framework and. arranged to encircle a post, braces secured at one end to said framework, and supplemental members interconnecting said braces with said clamp, said supplemental members having a plurality of spaced holes therein at shorter intervals than the holes in said frame members.

4. A highway sign bracket comprising a framework composed of a plurality of frame members secured end to end to one another to form a substantially rectilinear frame, like frame members arranged to interconnect and cross-brace said first-mentioned frame members, said frame members being of substantially the same length and interchangeable with one another, means for attaching said framework to a post, and means for attaching a sign to said framework.

5. A highway sign bracket comprising a framework composed of a plurality of frame members secured end to end to one another toform a substantially rectilinear frame, like frame members arranged to interconnect and cross-brace said first-mentioned frame members, said frame members being of substantially the same length and interchangeable with one another, means for attaching said framework to a post, and clips secured to said framework and arranged for the attachment of a sign thereto.

6. A highway sign bracket comprising a framework composed of a plurality of frame members secured end to end to one another to form a substantially rectilinear frame, like frame members arranged to interconnect and cross-brace said first-mentioned frame members, said frame members having a plurality of equidistantly spaced apertures and being interchangeable and of substantially the same length, means for attaching said framework to a post, and clips secured to said framework, said clips having means for the quick attachment and detachment of signs thereto.

7. A clamp for securing a sign framework to a post comprising a band adapted to surround the post, means for tightening said band around the post, a projecting element on said band, means on said projecting element for the attachment of said framework, said projecting element having a slot therein for the reception of a connecting member, a clip sli-dably mounted on said band and means on said clip arranged for the attachment 8. A clip for the attachment of signs to highwayrsign brackets comprising a base member, and a bent member of approximately U-shaped `cross section secured at its ends to said base member, said base member and the central portion of said bent member each having a slot therein for vthe reception of sign-attaching devices.

9. A clip for use with highway sign brackets comprising an approximately U-shaped bent metal strip having side Wings, aligned parallel slots therethrough adjacent said side wings.

WILLIAM M. LITTLEFIELD. 

